Adventure at sea no place for children

April 8, 2014

Adults have every right to take risks, as long as they understand that if taxpayers have to foot the bills to get them out of jams, they will be liable for part or all of the cost.

But putting children in jeopardy through bad judgment is something else again.

In March, Californians Eric and Charlotte Kaufman, began a sailing trip intended to take them around the world. In what to many parents would be an incredibly bad decision, the Kaufmans chose to take their 1- and 3-year-old daughters with them.

Last week, the younger girl, Lyra, got sick. Then the sailboat broke down and began taking on water. The Kaufmans, unable to treat Lyra, radioed for help. A Navy ship, the USS Vandegrift, had to be diverted from its regular duties to rescue the Kaufmans. That came after four California Air National Guard members risked their own lives by parachuting into the Pacific Ocean to go to the Kaufmans' sailboat, in an attempt to help the child.

Once aboard the Vandegrift, with the ship's medical personnel taking care of her, Lyra's condition improved. The Kaufmans' sailboat, a hazard to navigation, was sunk by the Navy.

After being rescued, the Kaufmans defended their decision to take children on their trip. In a statement, they maintained they had "prepared as well as any sailing crew could." They added they were sorry to lose their boat.

Obviously, the Kaufmans ought to be required to pay at least some of the cost of rescuing them. California authorities should consider whether it is safe for their children to live with them. Clearly, the two lack common sense regarding their children's safety.